Disposable motor-driven loading unit for use with a surgical cutting and stapling apparatus

ABSTRACT

A self contained motor-powered disposable loading unit for use with a surgical cutting and stapling apparatus. The disposable loading unit may contain a battery that is retained in a disconnected position when the disposable loading unit is not in use and is moved to a connected position when the disposable loading unit is coupled to the surgical cutting and stapling apparatus to permit the motor to be selectively powered thereby. Indicators may be supported on the disposable loading unit to indicate when the axial drive assembly thereof is in a starting position and an ending position. Another indicator may be provided to indicate when the anvil assembly is in a closed position.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This non-provisional application for patent is a continuation patentapplication of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/031,628, filed Feb.14, 2008, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,793,812, the disclosure of which is hereinincorporated by reference in its entirety.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates in general to endoscopic surgicalinstruments including, but not limited to, surgical cutting and staplingapparatuses that have disposable loading units that are capable ofapplying lines of staples to tissue while cutting the tissue betweenthose staple lines and, more particularly, to improvements relating tosuch disposable loading units.

BACKGROUND

Endoscopic surgical instruments are often preferred over traditionalopen surgical devices since a smaller incision tends to reduce thepost-operative recovery time and complications. Consequently,significant development has gone into a range of endoscopic surgicalinstruments that are suitable for precise placement of a distal endeffector at a desired surgical site through a cannula of a trocar. Thesedistal end effectors engage the tissue in a number of ways to achieve adiagnostic or therapeutic effect (e.g., endocutter, grasper, cutter,staplers, clip applier, access device, drug/gene therapy deliverydevice, and energy device using ultrasound, RF, laser, etc.).

Known surgical staplers include an end effector that simultaneouslymakes a longitudinal incision in tissue and applies lines of staples onopposing sides of the incision. The end effector includes a pair ofcooperating jaw members that, if the instrument is intended forendoscopic or laparoscopic applications, are capable of passing througha cannula passageway. One of the jaw members supports a staple cartridgethat has at least two laterally spaced rows of staples. The other jawmember defines an anvil having staple-forming pockets aligned with therows of staples in the cartridge. The instrument commonly includes aplurality of reciprocating wedges which, when driven distally, passthrough openings in the staple cartridge and engage drivers supportingthe staples to effect the firing of the staples toward the anvil.

One type of surgical stapling apparatus is configured to operate withdisposable loading units (DLU's) that are constructed to support astaple cartridge and knife assembly therein. Once the procedure iscompleted, the entire DLU is discarded. Such instruments that aredesigned to accommodate DLU's purport to offer the advantage of a“fresh” knife blade for each firing of the instrument. Examples of suchsurgical stapling apparatuses and DLU's are disclosed in U.S. Pat. No.5,865,361 to Milliman et al., the disclosure of which is hereinincorporated by reference in its entirety.

Such prior disposable loading units, however, require the clinician tocontinuously ratchet the handle to fire the staples and cut the tissue.There is a need for a surgical stapling apparatus configured for usewith a disposable loading unit that is driven by a motor contained inthe disposable loading unit.

SUMMARY

In one general aspect of various embodiments of the present invention,there is provided a disposable loading unit for attachment to a surgicalcutting and stapling apparatus. In various embodiments, the disposableloading unit may comprise a carrier that supports a staple cartridgetherein. An anvil assembly may be movably coupled to the carrier forselective movable travel between open and closed positions relative tothe staple cartridge. An axial drive assembly may be supported withinthe carrier such that it can move in a distal direction from a startposition to an end position through the carrier and the staplecartridge. The axial drive assembly may also be retracted in a proximaldirection from the end position back to the start position. A motor maybe supported within the carrier and constructed to drive the axial driveassembly in the distal and proximal directions. A battery may besupported within the carrier and be coupled to the motor for supplyingpower thereto.

In still another general aspect of various embodiments of the presentinvention, there is provided a disposable loading unit for attachment toa surgical cutting and stapling apparatus. In various embodiments, thedisposable loading unit includes a carrier that supports a staplecartridge therein. An anvil assembly may be movably coupled to thecarrier for selective movable travel between open and closed positionsrelative to the staple cartridge. A housing may be coupled to thecarrier and be configured for removable operable attachment to thesurgical stapling apparatus. An axial drive assembly may be supportedwithin the carrier and the housing to move in a distal direction from astart position to an end position through the carrier and the staplecartridge. The axial drive assembly may also be retracted in a proximaldirection from the end position to the start position. A motor may besupported within the carrier and configured to interface with the axialdrive assembly to drive the axial drive assembly in the distal andproximal directions. A battery may be supported within the carrier andbe coupled to the motor for supplying power thereto. The battery may beselectively movable between a disconnected position and connectedpositions in response to motions applied thereto by a portion of thesurgical stapling apparatus.

In another general aspect of various embodiments of the presentinvention, there is provided a surgical cutting and stapling apparatus.Various embodiments of the instrument may include a handle assembly thatoperably supports a drive assembly therein that is constructed to impartdrive motions and a retraction motion. A movable handle portion may beoperably supported on the handle assembly and configured to interfacewith the drive system such that manipulation of the movable handlecauses the drive system to impart the drive motions. An elongated bodymay protrude from the handle assembly and have a distal end that iscouplable to a disposable loading unit. In various embodiments, thedisposable loading unit may comprise a carrier that has a staplecartridge supported therein. An anvil assembly may be movably coupled tothe carrier for selective movable travel between open and closedpositions relative to the staple cartridge. An axial drive assembly maybe supported within the carrier such that the axial drive assembly maymove in a distal direction from a start position to an end positionthrough the carrier and the staple cartridge and also in a proximaldirection from the end position to the start position. A motor may besupported within the carrier and configured to interface with the axialdrive assembly to drive the axial drive assembly in the distal andproximal directions. A battery may be supported within the carrier andbe coupled to the motor for supplying power thereto. The battery may beconfigured to interface with a portion of the elongated body to receivethe drive motions therefrom upon manipulation of the moveable handle.

These and other objects and advantages of the present invention shall bemade apparent from the accompanying drawings and the descriptionthereof.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute apart of this specification, illustrate embodiments of the invention,and, together with the general description of various embodiments of theinvention given above, and the detailed description of the embodimentsgiven below, serve to explain various principles of the presentinvention.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a disposable loading unit embodiment ofthe present invention coupled to a conventional surgical cutting andstapling apparatus.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the disposable loading unit of FIG.1 with several components shown in full view for clarity.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of a proximal end of the disposableloading unit embodiment of FIGS. 1 and 2 with various components shownin full view for clarity.

FIG. 4 is a schematic of a circuit embodiment of the disposable loadingunit of FIGS. 1-3.

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the disposable loading unit of FIGS.1-3 when the disposable loading unit has been attached to the elongatedbody of the surgical instrument.

FIG. 6 is a schematic view of the circuit illustrating the position ofvarious components of the disposable loading unit after it has beenattached to the surgical instrument.

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of the disposable loading unit of FIGS.1-6 when the drive beam has been moved to the anvil closed position.

FIG. 8 is a schematic view of the circuit illustrating the position ofvarious components of the disposable loading unit after the drive beamhas been moved to the anvil closed position.

FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of the disposable loading unit of FIGS.1-8 when the drive beam has been moved to its distal-most firedposition.

FIG. 10 is a schematic view of the circuit illustrating the position ofvarious components of the disposable loading unit after the drive beamhas been moved to its distal-most fired position.

FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view of the disposable loading unit ofFIGS. 1-10 as the drive beam is being returned to a starting position.

FIG. 12 is a schematic view of the circuit illustrating the position ofvarious components of the disposable loading unit as the drive beam isbeing returned to a start position.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Turning to the Drawings, wherein like numerals denote like componentsthroughout the several views, FIG. 1 depicts a disposable loading unit16 of the present invention that is coupled to a conventional surgicalcutting and stapling apparatus 10. The construction and generaloperation of a cutting and stapling apparatus 10 is described in U.S.Pat. No. 5,865,361, the disclosure of which has been herein incorporatedby reference. Thus, the present Detailed Description will not discussthe various components of the apparatus 10 and their operation hereinbeyond what is necessary to describe the operation of the disposableloading unit 16 of the present invention.

As the present Detailed Description proceeds, it will be appreciatedthat the terms “proximal” and “distal” are used herein with reference toa clinician gripping a handle assembly 12 of the surgical staplingapparatus 10 to which the disposable loading unit 16 is attached. Thus,the disposable loading unit 16 is distal with respect to the moreproximal handle assembly 12. It will be further appreciated that, forconvenience and clarity, spatial terms such as “vertical”, “horizontal”,“up”, “down”, “right”, and “left” are used herein with respect to thedrawings. However, surgical instruments are used in many orientationsand positions, and these terms are not intended to be limiting andabsolute.

As can be seen in FIG. 1, the disposable loading unit 16 may generallycomprise a tool assembly 17 for performing surgical procedures such ascutting tissue and applying staples on each side of the cut. The toolassembly 17 may include a cartridge assembly 18 that includes a staplecartridge 220 that is supported in a carrier 216. An anvil assembly 20may be pivotally coupled to the carrier 216 in a known manner forselective pivotal travel between open and closed positions. The anvilassembly 20 includes an anvil portion 204 that has a plurality of stapledeforming concavities (not shown) formed in the undersurface thereof.The staple cartridge 220 houses a plurality of pushers or drivers (notshown) that each have a staple or staples (not shown) supported thereon.An actuation sled 234 is supported within the tool assembly 17 and isconfigured to drive the pushers and staples in the staple cartridge 220in a direction toward the anvil assembly 20 as the actuation sled 234 isdriven from the proximal end of the tool assembly 17 to the distal end220. See FIG. 2.

The disposable loading unit 16 may further include an axial driveassembly 212 that comprises a drive beam 266 that may be constructedfrom a single sheet of material or, preferably, from multiple stackedsheets. However, the drive beam 266 may be constructed from othersuitable material configurations. The distal end of drive beam 266 mayinclude a vertical support strut 271 which supports a knife blade 280and an abutment surface 283 which engages the central portion ofactuation sled 234 during a stapling procedure. Knife blade 280 may begenerally positioned to translate slightly behind actuation sled 234through a central longitudinal slot in staple cartridge 220 to form anincision between rows of stapled body tissue. A retention flange 284 mayproject distally from vertical strut 271 and support a camming pin orpins 286 at its distal end. Camming pin 286 may be dimensioned andconfigured to engage camming surface 209 on anvil portion 204 to clampanvil portion 204 against body tissue. See FIGS. 5 and 7. In addition, aleaf spring (not shown) may be provided between the proximal end of theanvil portion 204 and the distal end portion of the housing 200 to biasthe anvil assembly 20 to a normally open position. The carrier 216 mayalso have an elongated bottom slot therethrough through which a portionof the vertical support strut 271 extends to have a support member 287attached thereto

As can also be seen in FIG. 1, the disposable loading unit 16 may alsohave a housing portion 200 that is adapted to snap onto or otherwise beattached to the carrier 216. The proximal end 500 of housing 200 mayinclude engagement nubs 254 for releasably engaging elongated body 14 ofa surgical stapling apparatus. Nubs 254 form a bayonet type couplingwith the distal end of the elongated body portion 14 of the surgicalstapling apparatus as described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,865,361.

The housing 200 may further include a switch portion 520 that movablyhouses a battery 526 therein. More specifically and with reference toFIG. 3, the switch portion 520 of the housing 200 defines a batterycavity 522 that movably supports a battery holder 524 that houses abattery 526 therein. As can be seen in FIG. 3, a first battery contact528 is supported in electrical contact with the battery 526 andprotrudes out through the battery holder 524 for sliding engagement withthe inside wall 523 of the battery cavity 522. Similarly, a secondbattery contact 530 is mounted in electrical contact with the battery526 and also protrudes out of the battery holder 524 to slide along theinside wall 523 of the battery cavity 522. The battery holder 524 has acontrol rod socket 532 therein configured to receive the distal end 276of control rod 52 when the proximal end of disposable loading unit 16 iscoupled to the elongated body 14 of surgical stapling apparatus 10. Ascan also be seen in FIG. 3, a series of contacts 540, 542, 544 may beoriented within the wall 523 for contact with the battery contacts 530.The purpose of the contacts 540, 542, and 544 will be discussed infurther detail below. As can also be seen in FIG. 3, a biasing member orswitch spring 550 is positioned within the battery cavity 522 to biasthe battery holder 524 in the proximal direction “PD” such that when thedisposable reload 16 is not attached to the elongated body 14, thebattery holder 524 is biased to its proximal-most position shown in FIG.3. When retained in that “pre-use” or “disconnected” position by spring550, the battery contacts 528 and 530 do not contact any of the contacts540, 542, 544 within the battery cavity 522 to prevent the battery 526from being drained during non-use.

As can also be seen in FIG. 3, the housing 200 may further have a motorcavity 560 therein that houses a motor 562 and a gear box 564. The gearbox 564 has an output shaft 566 that protrudes through a hole 572 in aproximal bulkhead 570 formed in the housing 200. See FIG. 5. The outputshaft 566 is keyed onto or otherwise non-rotatably coupled to a thrustdisc 580. As can be seen in FIG. 5, the thrust disc 580 is rotatablysupported within a thrust disc cavity 582 formed between the proximalbulkhead 570 and a distal bulkhead 590 formed in the housing 200. Inaddition, the thrust disc 580 is rotatably supported between a proximalthrust bearing 583 and a distal thrust bearing 584 as shown. As can alsobe seen in FIG. 5, the thrust disc 580 may be formed on a proximal endof a drive screw 600 that threadedly engages a drive nut 610 that issupported within an engagement section 270 formed on the distal end ofthe drive beam 266. In various embodiments, the engagement section 270may include a pair of engagement fingers 270 a and 270 b that aredimensioned and configured to be received within a slot in the drive nut610 to non-rotatably affix the drive nut 610 to the drive beam 266.Thus, rotation of the drive screw 600 within the drive nut 610 willdrive the drive beam 266 in the distal direction “DD” or in the proximaldirection “PD” depending upon the direction of rotation of the drivescrew 600.

The disposable loading unit 16 may further include a return switch 630that is mounted in the housing 200 and is adapted to be actuated by theknife nut 610. As can also be seen in FIG. 5, a switch 640 is mounted inthe housing 200 and is also oriented to be actuated by the knife nut 610to indicate when the anvil assembly 20 has been closed. A switch 650 ismounted in the housing 200 and is also adapted to be actuated by theknife nut 610 to indicate that the axial drive assembly 212 has moved tois finished position. The specific operations of switches 630, 640, 650will be discussed in further detail below.

FIG. 4 illustrates a circuit embodiment 700 of the present inventionthat illustrates the positions of various components of the disposableloading unit 16 of the present invention when in a “pre-use” condition.For example, the various components of the disposable loading unit 16may be in this pre-use orientation when the unit 16 is being stored orshipped. As can be seen in that Figure, when in this orientation, thebattery contacts 528 and 530 do not contact any of the contacts 540,542, 544 in the housing 200 which prevents the battery 526 from beingdrained during non-use.

FIGS. 5 and 6 illustrate the positions of various components of thedisposable loading unit 16 after it has been coupled to the elongatedbody 14 of the surgical cutting and stapling instrument 10. Inparticular, as can be seen in FIG. 5, the distal end 276 of the controlrod 52 has been coupled to the battery holder 524. When the control rod52 is attached to the battery holder 524, the battery holder 524 ismoved in the distal direction “DD” against the spring 550 such that thebattery contacts 528, 530 are brought into contact with the returncontacts 540 in the housing 200. Also, when in that position, the knifenut 610 actuates the return switch 630 into an open orientation. It willbe appreciated that the return switch 630 is a normally closed switchthat is actuated to the open position by the knife nut 610. As shown inFIG. 6, when the return switch 630 is open, the motor 562 is notpowered.

FIGS. 7 and 8 illustrate the positions of various components of thedisposable loading unit 16 after the clinician has actuated the movablehandle 24 (shown in FIG. 1) of the surgical cutting and staplinginstrument 10. As discussed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,865,361, when the movablehandle 24 is initially moved toward the stationary handle member 22, thecontrol rod 52 is caused to move in the distal direction “DD”. As can beseen in FIG. 7, as the control rod 52 is initially moved in the distaldirection during the anvil close stroke, the battery holder 524 movesthe battery 526 to a position wherein the battery contacts 528, 530contact the anvil close contacts 542. Power is now permitted to flowfrom the battery 526 to the motor 562 which rotates the drive screw 600and causes the drive beam 266 to move distally. As the drive beam 266moves distally in the “DD” direction, the camming pin 286 engages camportion 209 of anvil portion 204 and causes the anvil assembly 20 topivot to a closed position as illustrated in FIG. 7. As the drive beam266 moves distally to the anvil closed position, the knife nut 610 movesout of contact with the return switch 630 which permits the returnswitch to resume its normally open position. The knife nut 610 thenactuates the anvil closed switch 640 and moves it to an open position.See FIG. 8. In various embodiments one or more anvil closed lights 660may be mounted in the housing 200 for providing a visual indication tothe clinician that the anvil assembly 20 has been moved to the closedposition.

When the clinician desires to fire the instrument 10 (i.e., actuate theinstrument 10 to cause it to cut and staple tissue), the clinician firstdepresses the plunger 82 of the firing lockout assembly 80 (FIG. 1) asdiscussed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,865,361. Thereafter, movable handle 24 maybe actuated. As the movable handle 24 is depressed, the control rod 52moves the battery holder 524 and battery 526 to the position illustratedin FIGS. 9 and 10. As can be seen in those Figures, when the battery 526is moved into that position, the battery contacts 528, 530 are broughtinto contact with the fire contacts 544. The switch 650 is normallyclosed until it is actuated by the knife nut 610. Thus, when the batterycontacts 528, 530 contact the firing contacts 544, power flows from thebattery 526 to the motor 562 which drives the drive screw 600. As thedrive screw 600 is rotated, the drive beam 266 and knife nut 610 aredriven in the distal direction “DD” to advance actuation sled 234through staple cartridge 220 to effect ejection of staples and cuttingof tissue. Once the drive beam 266 reaches the end of the firing stroke(i.e., all of the staples in the staple cartridge 220 have been fired),knife nut 610 is positioned to actuate the normally closed switch 650and move it to an open position (illustrated in FIG. 10) which stops theflow of power from the battery 526 to the motor 562. In variousembodiments, a distal indication light or lights 670 may be mounted onthe housing 200 to provide an indication to the clinician that the drivebeam 266 has reached its distal-most fired position.

To retract the drive beam 266, the clinician grasps the retract knobs 32(shown in FIG. 1) on the handle assembly 12 and pulls them in theproximal direction “PD”. The operation and construction of the retractknobs 32 is discussed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,865,361. Once the clinicianmoves the drive beam 266 a sufficient distance in the proximal direction“PD” so as to move the battery to contacts 540 (FIG. 11), power will besupplied through switch 630 to reverse the motor 562. Knife nut thenreleases switch 650. The motor 562 then drives the drive beam 266 distalto switch 630, which opens. The return switch 630 is also in itsnormally closed position thereby permitting power to flow to the motor562 and rotate the drive screw 610 in an opposite direction to drive thedrive beam 266 in the proximal direction “PD”. Once the knife nut 610actuates the knife return switch 630, the knife return switch 630 ismoved to an open position thereby stopping flow of power from thebattery 526 to the motor 562. In various embodiments, a starting light700 may be mounted in the housing 200 to provide an indication that thedrive beam 266 is in the starting position.

FIGS. 11 and 12 illustrate the positions of various components of thedisposable loading unit 16 of the present invention when the distal endof the drive beam 266 and blade 280 inadvertently becomes jammed duringthe firing stroke (i.e., when the blade 280 is being distally advancedthrough the tissue clamped in the tool assembly 17). To address suchoccurrence, a current limiter 680 may be provided as shown in FIG. 12.The current limiter 680 serves to turn off the motor 562 when the amountof current that it is drawing exceeds a predetermined threshold. It willbe understood that the amount of current that the motor 562 draws duringa jam would increase over the amount of current drawn during normalfiring operations. Once the current limiter 680 shuts down the motor562, the clinician can retract the drive beam 266 by grasping theretract knobs 32 (shown in FIG. 1) on the handle assembly 12 and pullingthem in the proximal direction “PD” and the motor 562 will drive thedrive screw 600 in reverse in the manner described above. Thus, thecurrent limiter 680 serves to stop the motor 562 when the axial driveassembly 212 encounters resistance that exceeds a predetermined amountof resistance which is associated with the predetermined maximum amountof current that the motor 562 should draw under normal operatingcircumstances. This feature also saves the battery power so the drivebeam 266 can be retracted.

Thus, the disposable loading unit 16 of the present invention comprisesa self-contained motor driven disposable loading unit that may be usedin connection with conventional surgical cutting and staplinginstruments that traditionally required the clinician to manuallyadvance and retract the drive assembly and cutting blade of a disposableloading unit coupled thereto. Various embodiments of the disposableloading unit 16 may be constructed to facilitate the automaticretraction of the axial drive assembly should the blade encounter apredetermined amount of resistance.

While several embodiments of the invention have been described, itshould be apparent, however, that various modifications, alterations andadaptations to those embodiments may occur to persons skilled in the artwith the attainment of some or all of the advantages of the invention.For example, according to various embodiments, a single component may bereplaced by multiple components, and multiple components may be replacedby a single component, to perform a given function or functions. Thisapplication is therefore intended to cover all such modifications,alterations and adaptations without departing from the scope and spiritof the disclosed invention as defined by the appended claims.

Any patent, publication, or other disclosure material, in whole or inpart, that is said to be incorporated by reference herein isincorporated herein only to the extent that the incorporated materialsdoes not conflict with existing definitions, statements, or otherdisclosure material set forth in this disclosure. As such, and to theextent necessary, the disclosure as explicitly set forth hereinsupersedes any conflicting material incorporated herein by reference.Any material, or portion thereof, that is said to be incorporated byreference herein, but which conflicts with existing definitions,statements, or other disclosure material set forth herein will only beincorporated to the extent that no conflict arises between thatincorporated material and the existing disclosure material.

The invention which is intended to be protected is not to be construedas limited to the particular embodiments disclosed. The embodiments aretherefore to be regarded as illustrative rather than restrictive.Variations and changes may be made by others without departing from thespirit of the present invention. Accordingly, it is expressly intendedthat all such equivalents, variations and changes which fall within thespirit and scope of the present invention as defined in the claims beembraced thereby.

1. A disposable loading unit comprising: a cartridge assembly; a housingcoupled to said cartridge assembly and configured for operableattachment to a surgical instrument; an axial drive assembly supportedfor selective axial travel through said cartridge assembly from a startposition to an end position upon application of a rotary motion thereto;a motor supported within said housing and operably interfacing with saidaxial drive assembly to selectively apply said rotary motion thereto;and a power source axially movable within said housing from adisconnected position wherein said power source is disconnected fromsaid motor to at least one connected position wherein said power sourceprovides power to said motor, said power source configured forattachment to an axially movable control member of the surgicalinstrument such that said power source is axially moved from saiddisconnected position to one of said at least one connected positionsupon attachment to the control member.
 2. The disposable loading unit ofclaim 1 wherein said cartridge assembly further comprises an anvilassembly selectively movable between an open position and a closedposition upon application of a closing motion thereto from said axialdrive assembly.
 3. The disposable loading unit of claim 2 wherein saiddisposable loading unit further comprises: a first contact arrangementin said housing communicating with said motor and configured for contactwith said power source when said power source is in a first one of saidat least one connected positions; and a second contact arrangement insaid housing communicating with said motor and configured for contactwith said power source when said power source is in a second one of saidat least one connected positions.
 4. The disposable loading unit ofclaim 3 wherein when said power source is in said first connectedposition, said power source is axially movable to said second connectedposition upon application of an actuation motion to said axially movablecontrol member.
 5. The disposable loading unit of claim 4 wherein whensaid power source is in said second connected position, said motorpowers said axial drive assembly to apply said closing motion to saidanvil assembly.
 6. The disposable loading unit of claim 5 furthercomprising a third contact arrangement in said housing communicatingwith said motor and configured for contact with said power source whensaid power source is in a third one of said at least one connectedpositions.
 7. The disposable loading unit of claim 6 wherein when saidpower source is in said third connected position, said motor drives saidaxial drive assembly proximally to said end position within saidcartridge assembly.
 8. The disposable loading unit of claim 7 whereinsaid axial drive assembly comprises: a drive beam operably coupled tosaid motor; and a tissue cutting edge on said drive beam.
 9. Thedisposable loading unit of claim 7 wherein said means for stopping saidmotor from driving said drive assembly in said proximal direction whensaid axial drive assembly encounters resistance that exceeds apredetermined amount of resistance.
 10. A surgical instrumentcomprising: a handle assembly; an elongated shaft coupled to said handleassembly an axially movable control member operably supported withinsaid elongated shaft and being selectively axially movable in responseto actuation motions applied thereto; and a disposable loading unitcomprising: a housing coupled to said elongated shaft; a staplecartridge supported by said housing assembly; an axial drive assemblysupported for selective axial travel through said cartridge assemblyfrom a start position to an end position upon application of a rotarymotion thereto; a motor supported within said housing and operablyinterfacing with said axial drive assembly to selectively apply saidrotary motion thereto; and a power source axially movable within saidhousing from a disconnected position wherein said power source isdisconnected from said motor to a first connected position wherein saidpower source provides power to said motor upon attachment to the controlmember.
 11. The surgical instrument of claim 10 wherein said cartridgeassembly further comprises an anvil assembly that is selectively movablebetween an open position and a closed position upon application of aclosing motion thereto from said axial drive assembly.
 12. The surgicalinstrument of claim 11 wherein said disposable loading unit furthercomprises: a first contact arrangement in said housing communicatingwith said motor and configured for contact with said power source whensaid power source is said first connected position; and a second contactarrangement in said housing communicating with said motor and configuredfor contact with said power source when said power source is in a secondconnected position such that said motor powers said axial drive assemblyto apply said closing motion to said anvil assembly.
 13. The surgicalinstrument of claim 12 further comprising a third contact arrangement insaid housing communicating with said motor and configured for contactwith said power source when said power source is in a third connectedposition.
 14. The surgical instrument of claim 13 wherein when saidpower source is in said third connected position, said motor drives saidaxial assembly proximally to said end position within said cartridgeassembly.
 15. The surgical instrument of claim 10 wherein saiddisposable loading unit further comprises: a first contact arrangementin said housing communicating with said motor and configured for contactwith said power source when said power source is said first connectedposition; and a second contact arrangement in said housing communicatingwith said motor and configured for contact with said power source whensaid power source is in a second connected position.
 16. The surgicalinstrument of claim 15 wherein when said power source is in said firstconnected position, said power source is axially movable to said secondconnected position upon application of an actuation motion to saidaxially movable control member.
 17. The surgical instrument of claim 16wherein said axially movable control member is operably coupled to amovable handle member movably supported on said handle assembly.
 18. Asurgical instrument comprising: a handle assembly; an elongated shaftcoupled to said handle assembly an axially movable control memberoperably supported within said elongated shaft and being selectivelyaxially movable in response to actuation motions applied thereto; and adisposable loading unit comprising: a housing coupled to said elongatedshaft; a staple cartridge supported by said housing assembly; an axialdrive assembly supported for selective axial travel through saidcartridge assembly from a start position to an end position uponapplication of a rotary motion thereto; a motor supported within saidhousing and operably interfacing with said axial drive assembly toselectively apply said rotary motion thereto; a movable battery holdercoupleable to said control member and being axially movable within saidhousing in response to motions applied thereto by said control rod; anda battery supported within said battery housing and configured forselective axial communication with a series of axially spaced contactarrangements in said housing for controlling supply of power from saidbattery to said motor.
 19. The surgical instrument of claim 18 whereinsaid axially movable control member is manually actuated by moving amovable handle member on said handle assembly.